Transparency supporting device



March 17, 1942. w, HOFMANN 2,276,776

TRANSPARENCY SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed March 6, 1941 I ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRANSPARENCY SUPPORTING DEVICE William Hofmann, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application March 6, 1941, Serial No. 382,068

3 Claims.

This invention relates to stands or supporting devices for transparencies, and its general object .is to provide a device that is primarily designed for supporting a framed transparency at a rearward inclination and at the same time reflect light toward the rear face of the transparency for passage therethrough, so that it can be conveniently and advantageously viewed from all angles, without handling.

A further object is to provide a supporting device that can be made from any suitable light reflecting material, such as sheet metal, highly polished or coated to provide a reflecting surface and while the transparency can be supported by my device for receiving natural light or artificial light, with the latter coming from some source remote from the device, I also provide illuminating means for detachable connection directly to the device.

Another object is to provide a supporting device that is constructed in a manner, so that the transparency can be associated with either end thereof and supported as and for the purpose specified.

A still further object is to provide a supporting device of the character set forth, that is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and extremely efiicient in use and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a framed transparency supported by and arranged at one end of my device.

Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view illustrating the use of illuminating means with my device.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary rear view of Fi ure 3.

Figure 5 is a side view illustrating a framed transparency supported by and arranged at the opposite end of my device.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the device per se.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be noted that the transparency Ais framed in the usual manner, in that it is disposed between two sheets B of transparent material for protection and is mounted within the frame C.

The device which forms the subject matter of the present invention, in the form shown is made into a single unit preferably from a single sheet of resilient metal to provide a substantially rectangular body I slightly curved longitudinally throughout its length. The sheet at one end of the body is rolled reversely upon itself to provide a substantially cylindrical portion 2 disposed in a plane below the body to hold the latter in an elevated position with respect to a table top or the like. The cylindrical portion has its outer or free longitudinal edge spaced from but disposed in close proximity to the line of juncture of the cylindrical portion with the body, to provide a passageway 3, for a purpose which will be later described, and the free edge is bent at a downward inclination as at 4, for disposal in the general direction of the body, as best shown in Figure 2. Formed at the opposite end of the body is a flange 5 that is bent at an outward and downward angle with respect to the body, as best shown in Figure 5.

While the device may be highly polished or coated with any suitable light reflecting material through-out its entire area, the upper face of the body is in any event, prepared to provide a light reflecting surface.

In the use of my device as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the flange 5 is inserted between the lower end of the frame C and the rear protective transparent sheet B for the latter and the frame to set up a frictional engagement with the flange to hold the transparency at a rearward inclination with respect to the upper face of the body. In Figure 5 the transparency is inserted through the passageway 3 of the cylindrical portion 2, to likewise be held at a rearward inclination with respect to the body, but regardless of the arrangement of the transparency with the device, the transparency is supported in a manner so that it can be conveniently and advantageously viewed from all angles without handling, and light rays reflected by the body will pass therethrough.

In Figures 3 and 4 I have illustrated the i1- luminating means for the device and which in the form shown includes an electric lamp bulb 6 mounted in a socket member 1 that is inserted within the cylindrical portion for disposal midway the ends thereof, and held in an upright position by the clamping engagement of the cylindrical portion therewith. The socket member is preferably provided with a notch 8 for receiving the free edge 4 of the cylindrical portionto prevent any possibility of casual removal or displacement of the illuminating means, as will be apparent upon inspection of Figure 3.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A reflecting supporting device for a framed transparency, comprising a substantially rectangular sheet like body, substantially cylindrical means formed on and extending below said body at one end thereof for supporting the body in an elevated position, a flange formed on the opposite end of the body for frictional engagement with the framed transparency to hold the latter at an inclination toward and above said body, and said body being slightly curved upwardly and having a mirrored upper surface for reflecting light toward and through the transparency.

2. A reflecting supporting device for a framed transparency, comprising a substantially rectangular sheet like body, substantially cylindrical means formed on and extending below said body at one end thereof for supporting the body in an elevated position, a down-turned flange formed on the opposite end of the body for frictional engagement with the framed transparency to hold the latter at an inclination toward and above said body, said cylindrical means being formed from resilient material and having its upper portion open throughout its length to provide a downturned free edge disposed in close proximity to the first end of the body for cooperation therewith to set up a clamping action, i1- luminating means for the transparency and including a lamp bulb, a socket member for the bulb and clamped within the cylindrical means between the first end of the body and said free edge, said socket member having a notch therein for receiving said free edge to hold the illuminating means against casual removal or displacement, and said body providing a reflector for reflecting light toward and through the transparency.

3. A reflecting supporting device for a transparency, comprising a substantially rectangular sheet like body, a downturned flange formed on one end of the body, a substantially cylindrical member formed on the opposite end of the body and disposed with respect to the body for supporting the latter in an elevated position, said cylindrical member having its upper portion open throughout its length to receive the transparency therein for the cylindrical member to hold the transparency at an inclination toward and above said body, and said body being curved longitudinally and upwardly and provided with a mirrored upper surface to reflect light toward and through the transparency.

WILLIAM HOFMANN. 

